What does Islam say about bullying?

Prepared and Presented by Sister Rim:


With bullying awareness week/month coming to an end I’ve been listening to all the stories and information my kids received in school about bullying and how to stop or prevent it from happening. I thought to myself what does Islam have to say about bullying? Contrary to what many believe, bullying is not a new issue. It has been around in many forms since the beginning. Whether it be in the form of name-calling, pride and egos and all forms of abuse, bullying can destroy people’s lives and level societies.


Islam is a curriculum for how to live and it has the solution for every societal problem. Therefore it’s important for us to look into the Quran and Hadith to see how we can deal with bullying.


Bullying is a form of oppression and Islam forbids all forms of oppression and injustice. Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him said “Be on your guard against oppression for oppression is a darkness on the day of resurrection” (Sahih Muslim). In another Hadith, the prophet peace be upon him said: “Help your brother whether he is an oppressor or he is oppressed”. The prophet was then asked, “It is right to help someone who is oppressed, but how should we help him if he is an oppressor?” He replied: “By preventing him from oppressing others.”(Sahih Bukhari).


The prophet peace be upon him was heard saying “He who amongst you sees something abominable should modify it with the help of his hand; and if he has not strength enough to do that, then he should do it with his tongue; and if he has not strength enough to do even that, then he should (at least abhor it) from his heart; and that is the least of faith”.


It’s important to stand up to oppression and to stand up for others. In doing so it creates an environment in which hurtful words and behaviours are not tolerated. It allows upstanders to show solidarity with the bullied and demonstrates disapproval of the bully's actions. After all, it is a religious duty to do so. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala says “And let there be (arising) from you a nation inviting to (all that is) good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and those will be the successful” Quran 3:104

Halaqa # 134

Safar 18, 1441 AH

One makes a Difference!

Year 6

                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Attendance: 

2 Sisters

1 Junior Sister                                                                           

Location: Amanah Room

Agenda: (please note, we have included many links where you can read in detail more on each subject)

OPENING DUA

O Allah, bless this Halaqa, allow us to gain, act upon and share beneficial knowledge. 

Guide us, forgive our sins and grant us Jannah with our families and loved ones. 

O my Lord increase me in knowledge*.  رَّبِّ زِدْنِى عِلْمًا   Ameen

*Part of ayah 114 Surah Taha(20)

QURAN: READING

We read Surah Fatihah aloud altogether, then since we were only two sisters and in the process of learning Arabic.  We chose to listen to one Ayah at a time, taking turns reciting afterwards as best we could. Alhamdulilah, we completed the entire page using  Surah Al-Israa  recited by  Sheikh Husary  We read Surah Al-Israa verses 18-27.  In sha Allah, this will be an ongoing part of our Halaqa and one day in sha Allah, we will have Khatam Quran and begin again.  


QURAN: TAJWEED

We had a short review of the following signs

. 

Source: Alim mobile app

To read more about Tajweed click below:

Reach the Goal Via Tajweed Rules Compiled by Sister Maha Rashed

QURAN: TAFSIR

We read an English Approximation (Sahih International) of Surah Al-Israa (Chapter 17)  verses 18-27.

We have chosen to use Tafsir Ibn Kathir   Volume 5 

We read the third part followed by a discussion about praying for our parents. 

The Reward of Those who desire this World and Those who desire the Hereafter    Verse 18-21  pg 599-602

Do not associate Anything in Worship with Allah 

Verse 22 pg 602-603

The Command to Worship Allah Alone and to be Dutiful to One's Parents 

Verse 23-24 pg 603-605

Another Hadith Imam Ahmad reported from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet said:    pg 605

Another Hadith pg 606

Another Hadith pg 606

Another Hadith pg 607

Omissions committed against Parents are pardoned with Good Relations and Repentance    Verse 25 pg 607-8

The Command to maintain the Ties of Kinship and the Prohibition of Extravagance  Verses 26-28 pg 609-611

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

DON’T BE SAD

We read  Being Sad is not encouraged in our religion  Pdf pg 66 - 72

Discussion: We were surprised by concepts mentioned that we’ve never encountered and are not part of Islam.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

A TEMPORARY GIFT

We read: Love, Unravelling: Living with the Quran     page 112

Link to Purchase a pdf                Link to buy

Discussion:  Reading Quran for converts is especially difficult but Allah, swt rewards our efforts for each letter. 

News and Schedule

In sha Allah, Next Halaqa Thursday, November 7th.

Volunteer opportunity:  Sisters are most welcome to become more involved in our group.  Following are a few suggestions, in addition we welcome your ideas.  

• Organize a weekend/weekday gathering
• Assist in updating our website blurb  (just the wording only, tech knowledge is not needed
• Join the Halaqa team, proofreader, fact-checker, prep, etc, however, you would like to help.

FITNESS TIP

Submitted by Sister Areag:  

If going up/down 3 floors or less, take the stairs instead of the elevator.

SISTERS SHARE

Sister Raya’s new article about Postpartum Depression.

Find out the difference between “baby blues” and “postpartum depression”.  Learn coping strategies for new mothers, how family and friends can help and when to seek professional help. We encourage you to read and share with family and friends. 

ASMA UL HUSNA

We read the following four names from part 1. 

99 Names of Allah – Part 1 (Seeking help with Asma ul Husna ) Series

Part 1

BONUS

Our members each have our favourite apps on our phones.  Our GO-TO apps for Quran and Duas, Athan etc. Let’s share them to gather a database of recommended apps.

Please submit your favourites via email or WhatsApp.

CLOSING DUA

For the expiation of sins, said at the conclusion of a sitting or gathering. To listen to this dua click here

"How perfect You are O Allah, and I praise You.

 I bear witness that None has the right to be worshipped except You.

 I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance."

سُبْحـانَكَ اللّهُـمَّ وَبِحَمدِك، أَشْهَـدُ أَنْ لا إِلهَ إِلاّ أَنْتَ أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتوبُ إِلَـيْك

Subhânaka l-lâhumma wa bi-hamdika. Ash-hadu an lâ ilâha illâ anta, astaghfiruka wa atûbu ilayka..

---

If any of this information was good and true, know that it comes from Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala.  

If there are mistakes we ask for Allah’s Forgiveness and Mercy.

                                       

Halaqa # 40

Safar  5, 1437

Advice ~ Sincerity

Naseeha

Year 2

Attendance:

• 4  Sisters
• 1  Junior Sisters
• 3  Junior Guests

Location: Headquarters (upstairs)

Agenda: (please note, we have included many links where you can read in detail more on each subject)

• OPENING DUA

O Allah, bless this Halaqa, allow us to gain, act upon  and share beneficial knowledge. Guide us, forgive our sins and grant us Jannah with our families and loved ones. Ameen

• QURAN RECITATION

We read Surah Fatihah aloud altogether, then sisters individually read aloud a few letters/words, ayahs (according to her ability and with the help and encouragement of her fellow sisters). We read   Surah Al-Maaida from Ayat 3 till Ayat 13. In sha Allah, this will be an ongoing part of our Halaqa and one day in sha Allah, we will have Khatam Quran and begin again.

• SISTERS TALK

Sister Safiyyah, is our special guest today. She is on our Shura Council and has just recently 

gained her certification as a life coach.  She, shared with us what Life Coaching is and how she

plans to help our New Amanah members with her expertise. To read a summary of her talk, 

click here.   In sha Allah, our website www.amanahsisters.com will be updated shortly to 

include details on how to gain access to this new service available to our Amanah Sisters.

• SISTERS TALK

Sister Winnie recited Surah Al-Asr in Arabic then read the approximation in English.  She then shared the following:

At-Tabarani recorded from `Abdullah bin Hisn Abi Madinah that he said, "Whenever two men from the Companions of the Messenger of Allah used to meet, they would not part until one of them had recited Surat Al-`Asr in its entirety to the other, and one of them had given the greetings of peace to the other.'' Ash-Shafi`i said, "If the people were to ponder on this Surah, it would be sufficient for them.''

            To read some English Tafsirs of Surat Al-’Asr, click on the following links:

Tafsir Ibn Kathir, English

Word by Word translation

Tafheem Maududi

• NEXT HALAQA and Upcoming Events

In sha Allah, our next Halaqa will be held on Thursday December  3rd, 2015 indoors  at our Headquarters upstairs from 10am-12 noon.   

Upcoming Activities in the Community:

There is registration for AquaFit Classes in Mississauga and limited availability for Childrens swimming lessons. Classes start December 19th, 2015 in sha Allah.

If you would like to learn more we can send you contact details.

There is a Halaqa on Sundays at Isna Masjid Mississauga for sisters and girls.

Correction of some misunderstandings in Islamic belief

English halaqah: 2-3pm

Arabic halaqah: 3-4:30pm

Presented by: Sr. Hanan Kandil

There is a Girls/Sisters Gala presented by Olive Grove happening, insha Allah, on Nov 26th, 2015.  For more information, click here

• SISTERS TALK

Etiquettes of Sincerely Giving Advice  

Advice has a sublime position in Islam. A beneficial sincere advice is the one in which the advisor abides by the etiquettes of the Sharee‘ah that the scholars have mentioned. Among those etiquettes are:

1- The advisor should give his advice sincerely for the sake of Allaah The Almighty, without seeking ostentation, fame, worldly gain or showing superiority.

2- The advisor should have enough knowledge about the advice which he is giving. This is because advising is a form of enjoining the good and forbidding the evil. If a person does not have enough knowledge about what he is advising about, he may forbid the good, thinking that he is forbidding an evil, and vice versa.

3- He should give it privately. Giving advice publicly is a reproach and rebuke that is disliked. Mis‘ar ibn Kidaam, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said, “May Allaah have mercy upon a person who presented my faults to me in secret, for giving advice in public is a rebuke.”

4- Gentleness in giving advice and avoiding excess and rebuke. The Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said: “Gentleness does not enter anything except that it adorns it.”

On his part, the one being advised should listen to the advice, apply the good that it contains and rid himself of the evil desires of the self. The righteous predecessors would consider advice a gift that the advisor had presented them. ‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him, said, “May Allaah have mercy upon a person who gifted me my faults!” Also the advisee should not let harshness of the advisor deprive him of benefiting from the advice.

We ask Allaah The Almighty to make us all from those who listen to speech and follow the best of it.

The above was an excerpt from the following article: Giving Sincere Advice

• SISTERS TALK

Luqman’s Advice to His Son

(part 1 of 2): Solutions for 21st Century Parents read by Sister Sara

(part 2 of 2): Begin with a Strong Foundation read by Sister Mona

• SISTERS TALK

On December 4th, 2014, Sister Rim shared with us an article during

Halaqa #17  Intentions / Giving Advice .  It was entitled:

Giving Advice in Islam and our Duties as Muslims to do this.

Click on the above title to read the full article.

• TECH TALK

There is a youth hotline/ website called Naseeha

Click here to read more about them. 

• VIDEO  

Hadith 7: The Religion is Naseehah (Sincere Advice)

Dr. Mohamed Allali 6:56

• CLOSING DUA

For the expiation of sins, said at the conclusion of a sitting or gathering. To listen to this dua click here

196 - "How perfect You are O Allah, and I praise You. I bear witness

that None has the right to be worshipped except You. I seek Your

forgiveness and turn to You in repentance."

سُبْحـانَكَ اللّهُـمَّ وَبِحَمدِك، أَشْهَـدُ أَنْ لا إِلهَ إِلاّ أَنْتَ أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتوبُ إِلَـيْك

Subhânaka l-lâhumma wa bi-hamdika. Ash-hadu an lâ ilâha illâ

anta, astaghfiruka wa atûbu ilayka.

If any of this information was good and true, know that it comes from Allah subhanahu

wa ta’ala.  If there are mistakes we ask for Allah’s Forgiveness and Mercy.